Mediterranean Mile Building and Distance Sailing

We have Mile Building Adventure Sails on 10th May and 11th October 2015, is a trip of nearly 1000 miles. See, also, our Refresher courses for other opportunities to refresh your skills.

A trip of nearly 1000 miles for the adventurous or those looking to build miles for RYA qualifications. A qualified skipper will provide any teaching you would like along the route but the focus of the trip is really all about gaining further experience in more challenging conditions, improving your sailing, learning more about watch systems, offshore and coastal passage making techniques, offshore safety – all whilst building miles. Crew can join for either one or both weeks of the two week voyage. We will start from our base in the Ionian Sea and sail South around the Peloponnese, turning East and visiting Crete and Santorini before turning West for the Saronic, stopping on Hydra to change crew. The second week will take in Naxos, the Saronic, the Corinth Canal, a visit to the ancient site of Delphi, the Gulfs of Corinth and Patras before returning to the Ionian.

The trip involves several 24 hour passages and time ashore may be limited. Plenty of opportunity for crew to plan passages, pilotage and take charge on board. See our blogs from previous years sailing trips!
Aimed at the adventurous sailor wanting to make some longer distance passages guests can come for both weeks or either the first or second week only as we will stop mid-way in Hydra which is easily accessible from Athens. A highly qualified skipper will be on hand but guests who are practising for RYA qualifications can take command of the yacht in order to gain the required passages for Yachtmaster. The boat will be organised in a professional manner with all crew taking part in the day to day running, including sailing, watch keeping & catering. There are several long overnight passages and shore-time will be severely limited at some stops. The planned route is as follows but obviously this is weather dependant.

The mile building trips will be running for two weeks. The cost is £1500 for the two weeks. This includes basic dry provisioning (fresh foods and meals ashore are at crews own cost), mooring fees, yacht expenses & all equipment. You may be required to share a cabin. Single occupancy cabins are available for £2800. We use a 46ft yacht (depending upon crew numbers) for the mile building trips, please refer to the website for typical specifications. All our yachts are fully up to date with all necessary safety equipment including SOLAS approved life jackets, EPIRBs, grab bag, radar, liferaft, spare VHF etc etc.

Night passages are divided into watches of 2, 3, or 4 hours depending upon passage duration, sea conditions, crew numbers and experience. Each watch is lead by an experienced leader and all crew are actively involved in helming, sail trim, navigation catering and generally running a professional yacht. The skipper is at minimum an RYA/MCA qualified Yachtmaster and will provide instruction, on the mile building and refresher weeks the crew are responsible for sailing and decision making while on passage.

Day 1

Guests arrive at Sail Ionian’s base on Lefkas and are greeted by the skipper over an introductory lunch. A full boat and safety brief takes up most of the afternoon with the yacht departing late afternoon for a short shake-down sail to Vathi on Ithaca.

Day 2

An early departure from Ithaca with around 100nm to cover bound for Pilos, an attractive continental town in the Gulf of Navarino, site of a famous Nineteenth Century British naval victory.

Day 3

The longest leg of the trip sees us leave Pilos early with 150nm miles to cover bound for Chania on Crete. Heading around the South of the Peloponnese we pass the ruined city of Methoni before open water sailing to Crete

Day 4

A lazy morning to catch up on lost sleep and explore the beautiful old port of Channia.

Day 5

We set of north easterly bound for the legendary island of Hydra, the passage is over 120nm and should take around 24 hours.

Day 6

Lunch and a well deserved swim in a small bay on the coast of Hydra followed by dinner ashore in the main town. Hydra town is a maze of small steep alleyways, donkeys and chic restaurants!

Day 7

Heading out into the Aegean we sail to Apollonia or Adamantas

Day 8

We set our sights on Naxos around 100nm away, the largest island of the Cyclades, arriving late at night with an early start expected the next day.

Day 9

A journey of 115nm takes us back West across the Aegean and through the Saronic South of Athens to the small town of Palia Epidavros which positions us for tomorrows navigation of the Corinth Canal.

Day 10

Departing Epidavros at dawn we enter the Corinth Canal mid-morning passing beneath it’s towering stone walls. Once through into the Gulf of Corinth we continue on to the pretty town of Galaxhidi in time for dinner ashore.

Day 11

Morning visit to the ancient site of Delphi if desired. Delphi is not only the ancient home to the most famous oracle but also the place where the Olympic Games originated. The yacht will leave early afternoon for the short hop to the small island of Trizonia.

Day 12

Departing at dawn heading West we pass under the Rion Antirion bridge near Patras, at 2,880m long the bridge is an incredible sight to sail under. Entering the Ionian we continue on for the popular port of Fiscardo on Keffalonia.

Day 13

A leisurely last day allows us to follow the wind and ensure we get a good sail, those wishing to fly back from Kephalonia will depart now whist the rest of the crew will head towards base on Lefkas.

To whet your appetite, read about Tranquilizer, who on the 27th April 2012, started a mile building journey around Greece, via the Peloponnese, to Athens and back towards the Ionian via the Corinth Canal! Here is their story.......

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